January Favorites!

I've gotten into this pattern of posting what I've liked about the month at the end of each one, so I figured I'd give this another shot this month!

So, here are some of my favorites from the month of January!

First, I'd like to introduce all of you to a horribly addicting game. 1010!.

1010!, available on iphone.

This game is horribly addicting. It's similar to Tetris, but instead of falling pieces, you get three at a time and can place them anywhere on the ten-by-ten square (see what they did there?). It's so simple, but trying to beat your high score is beyond frustrating. The people who made it are brilliant, though.

Next up, we've got beanies!

cable knit beanie (in coral, blue & olive, which is no longer available), $10.

It's been pretty cold and windy where I live, so beanies have become less of a cute addition to an outfit and more of a necessity! I'm actually wearing the blue one as I write this, and yes, the colors are just as bright online as they are in real life. It's great.

Next up we've got a mini-series--Sons of Liberty!

sons of liberty, history channel.

I'm a History major (with a concentration in American History, no less!), so as soon as I found out that this mini-series was going to actually happen, I nearly exploded.

And, I actually wanted to write up a review on this mini-series, too, since I did love it so much, small history inaccuracies and all. I still may, so if you're interested, keep on the lookout!

And, finally, I've been absolutely enamored with socks. Yep, you heard me right. Socks.

all are from forever 21.

I have gotten so many pairs of socks from Forever 21, Target--everywhere--over the past year and a half that my drawer with them in it literally sags when I pull it out fully. I have a serious sock problem, and with all the cute, new Valentine's ones, I can't resist!

Alright, I hope you enjoyed seeing what I've been in love with this past month--and let me know if there's anything I need to try/watch/whatever! I'm definitely open to new ideas!

Spring Lookbook!

Although Spring is still a while away (we just got into winter a few weeks ago--it'll really be a while), I thought it'd be fun to look at a few pieces from some of my favorite stores that would make nice transition pieces!

So, without further ado, here are some of my favorites!

First off is a classic chambray shirt from Gap!

1969 destructed western denim shirt, $60.

I know I have at least five of these in my closet--they are so incredibly versatile! This one pictured here is one of the new arrivals at Gap--and I love the pockets and yoke on it! They have a cool, Western vibe that's pretty unique! Chambray shirts are great for any kind of weather--if it's hot, wear a tank or tee under it and leave it unbuttoned, and if it's cold, wear a cute, patterned sweater on top (perhaps this one or this one?)! The options are endless, and it's a piece that every girl should have in her closet!

Or, if you don't want something so plain, a plaid shirt like this one from H&M is a good alternative!

(other options: here, here & here)

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Another essential winter-to-spring piece is a pair of patterned pants, like these from H&M!

slim-fit treggings, $18.

I can't emphasize enough how important patterned pants are to a wardrobe--especially in spring! Since it's not quite warm enough to get away with a dress or shorts yet, pants like these are essential. You could pair it with a simple, denim shirt (like the one above from Gap!), or even with a cute, graphic tee (like this, this, this, or this one!). This are another piece that will get you through a pretty good amount of seasons comfortably (and looking your best)!

(other options: here & here)

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A dress? In winter? Of course! This (super inexpensive!) one from Forever 21 has had me dreaming all week!

fit and flare tee dress, $13.

This dress comes in a multitude of colors (always a great perk!), and though I personally like the black on (paired with a cute, colorful cardigan, like this), the white one and red one are both great transition colors! Another option for this, if you aren't crazy about a dress, is this cute skirt from H&M! It's simple, and just like the dress, it can be paired over some comfy leggings or thick tights (here or here) if it's a bit nippy outside!

(other options: here, here & here)

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This one might be a bit of a surprise--a coat. This one from Madewell will do!

dugout varsity bomber jacket, $168.

Now, you're probably looking at me like I'm crazy, but hear me out. Like I've said multiple times, spring time can still be cold! So, a lightweight jacket like this cute baseball-style varsity jacket is a great addition! It's just light enough to toss over a button-down or tee and still be comfortable, but warm enough that you won't need your heavy parka! I like the grey, wool one because it's simple enough that you don't really need to worry about it matching your outfit you've already picked out.

(other options: here, here & here)

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And, finally, we need some shoes to finish it off! These flats from Forever 21 are simple & adorable!

faux leather ballet flats, $18.

I think these are adorable! And, they come in other colors, aside from this lovely camel color! Ballet flats will always be in vogue, in my opinion. I think they're versatile and chic, and can be used to dress up or down an outfit (I might need to make a post on flats some time soon!). These are nice and simple, and might keep an outfit from looking too forced or too crazy.

(other options: here, here & here)

-x-

To finish it all off, here are some additional pieces I've fallen in love with lately!

inkkas bluebird shoes, $76.

madewell et sézane silk blouse in chevron sketch, $138.

self-tie neck blouse, $15.

french bulldog sweatshirt, $15.

1969 always skinny cords (in raisin), $45.

Recent Shopping!

You guys know I'm addicted to online shopping (and shopping in general)--and, on top of that, I went to Charleston few weekends ago and spent the whole weekend on Kings Street.
Well, in the past few weeks, I've been very liberal with my Christmas money (probably a little too liberal), and I've bought just a few things with that extra spending money!

Without further ado, let's go!

So, first things first (I'm the realest--sorry, I had to), you know I love Forever 21. A lot. It's really bad. So, here are just a few of the things I've picked up from there lately!

quilted ballet flats (in beige/black), $18.

french bulldog sweatshirt, $15.

paris france tee, $13.

plaid flannel pj pants, $13.

So, now, we'll move onto one of my new favorite stores--H&M! I've recently gotten super addicted to their clothing and how comfy it is!

bug sweatshirt with zip, $18.

I also got the sweetest little bow necklace from H&M, but I can't seem to find it on their website.

And, finally, I got something from Gap, of course! The store near me didn't carry the Kate Spade kids line, but it got in a few returns from online--so, of course, I jumped on that as fast as I could!

kate spade new york ♥ gapkids pencil case (in poster red), $30.

So, there are a few of my most recent purchases to get me kind of excited for spring weather! I hope you all are still enjoying this blog, and I hope you've had a lovely start to your new year!

Golden Globes Galore!

I've always been intrigued by red carpet fashions.

The dresses, tuxes, and everything in between have always captivated me in a way that's hard to put into words.

So, it's no surprise that I was excited for the Golden Globes! There were some stunning fashions on the red carpet, and here, I'll list a few of my favorites!

First up on this list is Anna Kendrick!

anna kendrick in monique lhullier.

This Monique Lhullier gown is certainly a stunner, and perfect for Kendrick's recent role of Cinderella in Into the Woods! I love the beautiful, rose-like apliques on the dress, and the beautiful cut! She looks great in this dress, and as always, picked a seriously stunning gown.

Next up is the one and only Quvenzhané Wallis!

quvenzhané wallis in giorgio armani.

Is she not the cutest thing in the world? I absolutely love this dress--it's beautiful. It doesn't age her, though. I thought it was a perfect pick, given its modest cut and design. Seriously one of my absolute favorites of the night. For once, someone under 20 chose something suited for their age! I think it's probably one of my all-time favorite red carpet dresses (and, that's a pretty big compliment--I don't have a lot of those!).

Next, we've got Amy Adams!

amy adams in atelier versace.

I tried so desperately to find a full side photo of this dress, but couldn't find one. I love, love, love the drapey shoulder--it's so effortlessly gorgeous! I love the color of it, too--it compliments her hair in such a stunning way. I thought she looked absolutely striking in this dress, and as always, I'm looking forward to see what she wears to her next awards show!

Next up, we've got Emily Blunt, stunning in Michael Kors!

emily blunt in michael kors.

Absolutely stunning. This dress was so made for her, and as much as I usually don't like white on the red carpet, this dress was absolutely an exception. It fits her perfectly--I mean, absolutely perfectly. And, like most other stars last night, she went mostly jewelry-less, which makes the dress stand out all the more! I love the criss-cross of the bodice, and I think it shows enough skin to be a little sexy,but it's not raunchy (like some of the dresses I saw last night).

One more lady! Lupita Nyong'o stunned last night, too!

lupita nyong'o in giambattista valli.

How could I go through an awards show and pick the best dressed without mentioning style goddess Lupita? Seriously, I didn't know she could top her beautiful dress from the Oscars last year, but this one did it--effortlessly! I love the flowery effects of the bustier, and I love that she went necklace-less. The ombre effect of the dress is gorgeous--she looks so beautiful in purple! She did it again and stole the show--this time without even being nominated! I'm impressed.

And, finally, since I feel bad for the guys, I've got to put Eddie Redmayne up here!

eddie redmayne in gucci.

God, he looked good. I love the velvet blazer--and, though he's not the first to pull it off, he sure looked damn good in it. I love that most of the men opted for bowties this year instead of ties! I think bowties are so much classier, and just downright attractive as hell. Looking good, Eddie!

Honorable Mentions: Julianne Moore in Givenchy, Gwyenth Paltrow in Michael Kors & Jamie Dornan in (I couldn't find who he was wearing--but, I will!).

Dress Like... Emma Swan!

So, I've decided to start a new series here on this blog--'Dress Like...'!
Each installment will deal with a different character (or actress, maybe!) from a TV show or a movie, and will give you affordable options to dress just like them!
Fair warning, most of these will be characters from Once Upon a Time, since that's really the only show I'm watching at the moment. Though, I will do a ton of movies, and maybe some TV shows I've watched in the past.

Without further ado, let's talk about Emma Swan's wardrobe!

Emma Swan is the badass, leading lady on OUAT, and her wardrobe certainly shows it! Most of the fabrics are sturdy, like leather and denim, but, occasionally, she dips into her more feminine side and goes for a light, pale-colored top under that dark leather!

So, let's go over her wardrobe basics:

1. Leather Jacket.

An absolute must-have for Emma's wardrobe. It's the first thing I'd consider buying, if you want her look. She usually goes for darker tones, but lately she's been wearing that great camel one, or even her light grey one.

These leather jackets are relatively inexpensive options!:

faux leather moto jacket (grey, black or burgundy would be the best options!), $23.

biker jacket (in black), $50.

quilted faux leather jacket (in red), $33.

2. Dark Denim.

Emma wears jeans more often than not, so investing in dark pair of jeans would be wise. She typically wears them with her boots, but more on those later.

Here are some pretty decent options!

1969 always skinny jeans, $70.

skinny regular jeans, $20.

3. Knee-High Boots

Now, this is where it can get a bit pricey.

Emma wears her beloved boots every single day (aside from her lovely date with Captain Hook!), and I'm sure once you get a pair, you will, too! She's a few different pairs--the ones she's known for are a pair of lace-up, Frye boots that are well over $300.

But, here are some less-expensive alternatives!:

lace-up knee-high boots (in black), $40.

knee-high riding boots (in black or brown), $35.

4. Plaid Shirts/Flannel

When Emma isn't wearing her leather jacket, she takes after her dad and wears flannel! If you've been following me, you'll know that this part is my favorite part of all of it. Emma's flannel colors are usually a bit duller or paler--she doesn't go too drastic with bright colors.

So, here are some lovely options!:

classic plaid shirt, $18.

plaid flannel shirt (in hyper blue), $25.

5. Light-Weight Sweaters

With the recent Frozen cast here, it's gotten a bit chilly around Storybrooke. The natural response? A light-weight sweater, to be worn under that fabulous leather jacket!

Here are a few similar to ones Emma's worn before:

heathered colorblock sweater (in mint), $25.

fine-knit sporty sweater, $25.

fine-knit sweater (in light blue), $25

And, just as an added little bonus, if you'd like Emma's date ensemble, here's a decent option!:

(from top, clockwise): belted cap sleeve dress, $18; isabelle bow pumps, $95; 

isabelle patent pumps, $68.

I know it's not very close to what Emma wears on the date, but it's about as close as I could get. The bow pumps I think match the dress a little better, but the plain pumps are probably more what Emma would wear. I know her dress has a pretty deep-V cut, but I couldn't find any pink ones, or even white!

I think, though, if you wanted the right color scheme/look, this would be pretty close.

So, there's Emma Swan! Comment below if there's another character you'd like me to do!

Top Five Albums of 2014

So, though many may not think so, 2014 was definitely a year of great albums--of all kinds! I have my favorites, so let's begin!

The first album on this list--rolling in at number five--is FKA Twigs' album, LP1.

released august 6th, 2014.

Where do I even start with this album? Maybe I should preface that I didn't even know this album existed until my Brit Lit class at school. I was assigned this album for a project, and I immediately fell in love with the cool, edgy feel. Songs like 'Closer' and 'Pendulum' create this amazing mix between hip-hop, electronic music and ethereal, hymnal vocals. It's seriously such a unique album, and if you're not listening to it, you need to be.

Clocking in at number 4, we've got newcomer (on the music scene, that is), Troye Sivan with TRXYE.

released august 15th, 2014.

I will never recommend an album as much and as hard as I recommend TRXYE. It's got a great blend of music, with it's headlining single, 'Happy Little Pill', and other electronic songs like 'Gasoline' and 'Touch'. 'Touch' is probably my favorite off of the track, because it's got such a unique and beautiful production. The songs all have similar music/sounds, but they're distinct enough that you know what's playing overhead. And, you're loving it.

I can't go another moment without mentioning my third place, My Everything--Ariana Grande's album!

released august 22nd, 2014.

Damn, all the good albums were dropped in August, apparently! Anyways, this album is gorgeous. Ariana can hit those high, whistle tones without an ounce of effort, which is mind-blowing and a little amazing. 'Why Try' (co-written by Ryan Tedder, lead singer of OneRepublic & also my favorite person in the world), 'Intro', and 'My Everything' are some of the less popular tracks on the album, but certainly deserve a listen. Her sound is simple, but at the same time dynamic and exciting. Each song has a similar enough element to it that the album is cohesive, but is diverse and unique enough to set them apart. All in all, a great album.

Taking second place on this list, of course, is 1989, by Taylor Swift. Talk about a sound change!

released october 27th, 2014.

Honestly, I've never been much of a Taylor Swift fan before. I'm not really into country music, so her mix with pop was just never appealing to me. Well, that is, until this album. This one really surprised me--I've never pinned Taylor Swift to make an album with hardly any country-sounding songs on it. This one has, obviously, some spectacular singles ('Shake It Off', 'Blank Space'), but the songs that I happen to love are the more unpopular ones, like 'Style' and 'Wildest Dreams', which capture a side of Swift that hasn't been seen before. Like I said above, I was very impressed with this album, and it simply had to be on this list.

And, finally, ranking in at number 1, we've got the re-release of OneRepublic's Native!

(originally) released march 22nd, 2013.

re-released april 14th, 2014.

Now, it's not often that a band re-releases an album. But, this revamp of Native was brilliant. First dropping in 2013, the biggest singles off the album were the successful 'Feel Again' and 'If I Lose Myself'--two songs that immediately captivated the audience. With the release of its third single, 'Counting Stars' OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder was brilliant in re-releasing the album as a whole. It allowed for a whole new wave of fans to surge in and fall in love with an amazing band. Again, I like the less popular songs (go figure), like 'Preacher' and 'What You Wanted'. But, for the first time in a long time, I've found an album in which I like every single song off of it. That's rare for me, but this album did it with ease. Good on you, OneRepublic!

2014 was a great year for music. We've gotten spoiled, honestly, with great music, and I am sure that 2015 will surprise me and make even better music!

EDIT: I've forgotten my Honorable Mentions! These go to The Script's No Sound Without Silence and Ed Sheeran's X!